Usher in spring with Flowers Interpret Art and express your creativity and engage with the Museum's collection by designing unique arrangements at the expanded signature event. This year this annual events expands to cover parts of two days and moves to a new time frame.

Every year members of the Museum's Volunteer Board organize Flowers Interpret Art, an exhibition of floral arrangements inspired by selected works on view in the Museum. Visitors enjoy the creativity and beauty of the presentations and vote for their favorite piece. Call 434.924.3424 for more information.

Celebrate spring at the University of Virginia Art Museum with Flowers Interpret Art, our most anticipated annual event. This year the event has been expanded and will occur on two days: Thursday, May 5 and Friday, May 6. We hope you will find the artwork on display in the Museum to be exciting, inspiring, and a beautiful backdrop for your creative interpretations.

Professional judging of the arrangements will occur on Thursday, May 5 in two categories: Best Interpretation and Most Creative. Winners will be announced at the Cocktail Buffet Dinner that evening from 6 to 8 pm. This year for the first time, the People's Choice Award will be given in memory of Jan Weary, a longtime supporter of this event. This award will be announced at 5 pm on Friday afternoon.

Selection of works to interpret begins on March 18 in the Museum. At noon that day, each of the selected works of art will be on display, and you will find a notebook at the Museum's front desk where you can record your top three choices of works to interpret. All available works will be listed in this notebook as well.

This year we have invited a number of arrangers from out of town. To make the selection process more convenient for these arrangers, after March 18 each arranger will receive in the mail a packet that includes a complete list of works available for interpretation, along with a thumbnail image of each work. You will be able to make your selection from this information.

Whether you make your selection in person at the Museum or from the list in the mail, you'll need to complete, sign, and return your Selection Form (to be included with the image packet) by March 30. We will then contact you by April 4 to confirm your selection. Works are assigned to arrangers on a first-come, first-served basis.

We very much look forward to your participation and your wonderful interpretations! The participants make this event truly memorable and an enduring favorite among Museum guests.

Instructions for Participants

Each arranger must provide all plant material and containers, and all arrangements must be made from natural materials. We regret that silk, plastic, glass, or paper flowers are not permitted.

The Museum will open for arrangers beginning at 9 am on May 5. All arrangements must be on their pedestals by 12 noon.

Arrangements must not touch any works of art, must be free of pests, and must not contain overripe vegetation or cut fruit. Extra water should be confined to closed containers.

Arrangements should be completed before they are brought to the Museum. Although last-minute adjustments can be accommodated, the Museum does not have facilities for constructing arrangements.

Please unload behind the Museum when you deliver your arrangement. Help will be available for unloading. Limited accessible parking is available behind the Museum on a first-come basis, and additional spaces are available directly across Rugby Road from the Museum in the surface lot adjacent to Mad Bowl. We will also offer parking in Culbreth Garage.

Arrangements will remain in place during the Thursday evening Cocktail Buffet Dinner and from 10 am to 5 pm on Friday, May 6. Please plan to remove your arrangement between 5 and 6 pm on Friday, or between noon and 2 pm on Saturday, May 7. This year participants may also elect to have their containers shipped for a fee.

Schedule

Beginning March 18
Artwork will be on view for selection at the Museum at noon, and information packets with thumbnail images will be mailed. Make your selection by visiting the Museum or using the information packet, then submitting your form at the front desk or mailing it to the Museum.

March 30
Deadline for Selection Form to be submitted

April 4
Committee members will notify participants of their selection by email or phone

May 5
Place arrangements in Museum between 9 am and 12 noon. Professional judging will occur at 2 pm in two categories: Best Interpretation and Most Creative. The Cocktail Buffet Dinner and announcement of winners will be between 6 and 8 pm.

May 6 Flowers Interpret Art is open to the public between 10 am and 5 pm. Votes for the People's Choice Award will be accepted all day, will be awarded in memory of Jan Weary at 5 pm. Arrangements may be removed between 5 and 6 pm.

May 7
Remove arrangements between noon and 2 pm. Participants unable to collect their containers may elect to have them shipped them for a fee.

The University of Virginia Art Museum exhibits art from around the world dating from ancient times to the present. In addition to its permanent collection, the Museum offers changing exhibitions, accompanied by related programs and publications.

Reproduction, including downloading of Albers, Davis, Frost, Shapiro, and Warhol works is prohibited by copyright lawsand international conventions without the express written permission of Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York.